The White Tiger: Mr. Ashok's Life
In many instances, living in a country does not mean one is living that country’s lifestyle. Throughout The White Tiger, the Stork and the Mongoose repeatedly remind Mr. Ashok that “This is not America” (Adiga 61). They do so because Mr. Ashok is constantly bringing up American habits and culture, which is the upbringing that Pinky Madam has. Even though Pinky Madam lives in India with Mr. Ashok, she never lives an “Indian” lifestyle; instead, she lives an American lifestyle in India protected by the wealth of Mr. Ashok and by the knowledge of her return to America. While living in India, Pinky Madam keeps with her American upbringing through the food she eats, the places she goes and the language she uses. On Pinky Madam’s birthday, Mr.
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As shown through the Stork’s family, the way out of difficult situations is bribery, whether it be making Balram say “that [he] drove the car that hit an unidentified person” (143) or paying off the prime minister. However, when Pinky Madam hit the unidentified person, her first reaction is “to go back… [and] take that thing to the hospital” (139). This reaction shows how Pinky’s way of thinking is different from the Indian way of thinking, corrupt. One reason why Pinky Madam is holding on to her American habits is because she never planned on staying in India. She confronts Mr. Ashok by asking whether he “lied about returning to America” (69) to which Mr. Ashok changes the topic. Pinky Madam’s negative reaction to Mr. Ashok’s topic change suggests that she assumes or is promised a return to New York. This promise of return is the reason why Pinky is simply living her previous life in a different place. Pinky adjusts to some part of Indian life like having servants and how “why [Mr. Ashok] can’t… drive, like [he] used to” (70). However, she reacts the way she does because she knows her stay in India is not permanent, so she does not conform to Indian life on an emotional level. Pinky’s plan on returning to America shapes how she handles situations the American way.
Pinky Madam correcting Balram’s language emphasizes that
As shown through the Stork’s family, the way out of difficult situations is bribery, whether it be making Balram say “that [he] drove the car that hit an unidentified person” (143) or paying off the prime minister. However, when Pinky Madam hit the unidentified person, her first reaction is “to go back… [and] take that thing to the hospital” (139). This reaction shows how Pinky’s way of thinking is different from the Indian way of thinking, corrupt. One reason why Pinky Madam is holding on to her American habits is because she never planned on staying in India. She confronts Mr. Ashok by asking whether he “lied about returning to America” (69) to which Mr. Ashok changes the topic. Pinky Madam’s negative reaction to Mr. Ashok’s topic change suggests that she assumes or is promised a return to New York. This promise of return is the reason why Pinky is simply living her previous life in a different place. Pinky adjusts to some part of Indian life like having servants and how “why [Mr. Ashok] can’t… drive, like [he] used to” (70). However, she reacts the way she does because she knows her stay in India is not permanent, so she does not conform to Indian life on an emotional level. Pinky’s plan on returning to America shapes how she handles situations the American way.
Pinky Madam correcting Balram’s language emphasizes that